damn needle bearings

Luv_Bug · Post by **Luv_Bug** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:18 pm

After some toying around with my 74 beetle's front suspension I noticed that it has needle bearings. I ordered a set of urathane bushings that replace these needle bearings. I've been asking around on ways to get these bearings out, but people keep telling me to push them in further so the urathane bushings will clear them. You can call me crazy but I don't want needle bearings floating in my beam. Does anyone know how I can "remove" my needle bearings. I've also installed adjusters if that information is useful at all.

Post by **Marc** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:54 pm

You need to make a "toggle washer" that you can tip in through the bearing and then stand up inside behind it to give you something to drive it out with. If you have a slide hammer you can pull on the washer, or use a long steel rod that'll fit through the center anchor point and hammer it out from the other end.
Find a big thick washer that you can grind down to the right OD, then cut flats on the sides to make it thin enough to pass through the bearing. drill a small extra hole in it so you can tie a wire on, makes it easier to tip up into place once it's on the inside.

Luv_Bug · Post by **Luv_Bug** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:49 pm

Hold on a sec... Whats is a toggle washer? Never heard of that. A long rod inserted through one end of my beam can be used to force out the needle bearings on the other end of the beam? The slide hammer pulls from the inside of the needle bearing as well, correct?

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:27 pm

I have to ask why you want to replace the superior needle bearings with inferior urethane bushings?

Luv_Bug · Post by **Luv_Bug** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:45 pm

The needle bearings installed in my beam have been sitting outside for about 3 months.. I want to give them a good cleaning to find out if they are any good, especially with all the rust and gung buildup. I don't they are any good since the bearings wont even roll. so, hence urathane bushings after a discount from a friend. I have heard that once these urathane bushings are "fitted" and well greased they work better than needle bearings.

Post by **Marc** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:02 pm

A toggle washer looks like a flat washer with two opposite flat edges. This makes it skinny enough to go through a hole smaller than the major diameter when it's tilted 90°
The needle bearing cages are reinforced only on one end, the outboard end that was used to drive them in place - odds are they'll be damaged if you drive them out, so don't count on being able to reuse them even if they do clean up OK - especially if you don't use a toggle washer.

Luv_Bug · Post by **Luv_Bug** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:20 pm

alright...thanks for the information. I'll be driving my creation soon enough.

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 11:52 pm

I have to disagree with you on the bushings. There's no way a plastic tube could locate the control arm as precisely as a pair of needle bearings.

roachghia70 · Post by **roachghia70** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 11:56 pm

i used a horseshoe to get mine out! same principle; it had a little hook on the end, so i used the hook on the bearing. then i hit the other end of the horseshoe with a hammer and presto! it worked like a charm. got any horseshoes laying around?

Luv_Bug · Post by **Luv_Bug** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:04 am

I'm not saying that the needle bearings are inferior to urathane bushings.. I'm just stating that I heard that once the bushings are fitted to the torsion arms they're better than needle bearings. As an update I have finally removed the bearings using the toggle washer idea and a slide hammer, and as i thought they are no good... considering that when i began pulling them out 1 split, 2 had the ridges holding the needle bearing's cage rusted out, and the final one has rusted through the out casing.. So now I have a slightly different problem.. How do i get the needle bearings out that the ridge broke off on.... Dremel tool or something?

Post by **Marc** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:57 am

Luv_Bug wrote:...How do i get the needle bearings out that the ridge broke off on.... Dremel tool or something?

That's the only way I've ever done it (grind through it lengthwise just to the point where it's weak enough to crack and bend inward). Maybe somebody else has a better plan?

Luv_Bug · Post by **Luv_Bug** » Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:57 pm

thanks.. that worked great. Soon I'll begin the body modifications.

rhaynes · Post by **rhaynes** » Mon Apr 05, 2004 7:01 am

I've used the toggle washer and it will work.
To me the best and easiest way to pull the needle bearings is to use a bearing puller and slide hammer.
If you don't own one you can go to your local AutoZone and "borrow" one. All you do is put down a deposit, then when you bring it back they refund the deposit. I like to give credit to a place that helps the do-it-yourself car guy.
You can't just drive them on in because there is a little shoulder in the tube.

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damn needle bearings

damn needle bearings

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